Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.
 
Serving the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton.
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Mals 40th

40th Anniversary – A Time to Celebrate

Harrison D. McIverThe staff and board of Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) are especially excited this year, as we are celebrating our 40th Anniversary October 14th from 5 to 7pm at the new University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, located at 1 North Front Street in downtown Memphis.

Our story began in 1968, as noted on our Home Page. The Neighborhood Legal Services Project (NLSP) laid the foundation for MALS. The leadership of MALS’ first two executive directors, retired Circuit Judge George Brown and City of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, were essential to the solid footing that MALS needed to become the principal law firm serving the civil legal needs of low income and other disadvantaged individuals.

Please join us in a year of celebration by contributing today to our Annual Campaign for Equal Justice (click on the “Contribute Now” button at the top of the page); or by volunteering in one of our pro bono/volunteer opportunities (contact Linda Warren Seely at 901-255-3417 or lseely@malsi.org), and do not forget to attend our 40th Anniversary celebration!
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Client Services

HISTORY - HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. story began in 1968, in the wake of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the commitment and resolve of thirty (30) members of the legal profession led by W. J. Michael "Mike" Cody. Though these lawyers and law students initially faced staunch opposition they, nevertheless, persevered until their dreams were realized on June 15, 1968, when the Neighborhood Legal Services Project (NLSP), opened its doors in the old Centenary Methodist Church located at 878 Mississippi Boulevard. Undeterred by the denial of funding twice by the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), they pooled their own funds to support and organize the project and volunteered their time after normal work hours with law student and secretary staffing the office. Two years later OEO funded Memphis and Shelby County Legal Services (MSCLS) due in no small part to the same unsung heroes who helped establish the NLSP. The initial years were under the capable leadership of two Memphis institutions, Honorable George H. Brown (retired Circuit Court Judge), and A C Wharton, Jr. (Memphis City Mayor and former Shelby County Mayor), who both served as Executive Directors of MSCLS.

Following congressional enactment in 1974 of the Legal Services Corporation Act, which established the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Washington, D.C., additional funding for legal aid programs, including Memphis, was provided. The late 70's and early 80's were called the "expansion years" during which legal aid programs expanded their services to all counties, territories, and the District of Columbia. Consequently, Memphis and Shelby County Legal Services' name was changed to Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) to better reflect the expansion of services to the three rural counties of Fayette, Lauderdale, and Tipton.

MALS has continued the tradition of the early years of providing high quality and aggressive advocacy.

Today, MALS is a multi-faceted law firm guided by values and principles that embody its commitment to equal access to justice. Through its well-trained, dedicated and capable staff, complemented by the volunteerism of the private bar, MALS continues to provide free legal assistance through advice and counsel, court and administrative representation and community education and outreach to the low-income and elderly residents in Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton counties.
MALS